5 Grocery Shopping Hacks to Help You Buy Healthy and Spend Less

Do you have a plan to shop healthier and on a budget, yet every time you go to the grocery store your plan falls apart? In order to shop smarter, you have to be equipped with the right resources. In this post, we will uncover five grocery shopping hacks to help you find healthier and more affordable options.

1. Don’t Shop on an Empty Stomach

Perhaps you’ve been advised by a friend or family member about this before and never fully understood why this is such an important tip. If you’re shopping on an empty stomach, you’re more likely to make impulse buys and not just on food. Plus, if you are shopping solely for food while you’re hungry, you could very well end up tossing anything in your cart to get out of the store faster or buy junk food to hold you over. Before you hit the grocery store, make sure you haven’t skipped a meal or have had a light snack beforehand.

2. Always Have a List with You

When you’re trying to change the way you shop and choose healthier food, you have to be intentional about it. Going into a store unarmed will leave you susceptible to wandering about, unsure of what you’re looking for. Before you even set foot in the grocery store, write a list of everything you plan to buy. This way, you’ll be saving time, getting the health foods you want, and limiting the amount of unnecessary browsing and spending you might end up doing.

3. Venture into Unknown Aisles

When most people hear the word cheap associated with food, it’s natural for them to assume that cheap means low quality and unhealthy; but that’s not always true. While too often you’ll see salads priced at two or three times as much as a frozen meal, venture into different grocery aisles you’ll find food that is both cheap and healthy. Foods such as rice, quinoa, beans, and lentils are some of the most nutrient-rich foods available, yet they are extremely inexpensive.

4. Buy in Bulk

Speaking of foods like rice, quinoa, beans, and lentils, you can typically buy these products in bulk. While initially buying in bulk may mean that you’re going a bit over budget, you will be saving a lot of money over the long run. These non-perishable foods can be stored in your kitchen for weeks and even months. This will save you from having to buy smaller packages of food several times, thus spending more money than you really need to.

5. Don’t Shop During Rush Hour

Understandably, it’s difficult for most people to shop during the late morning of a weekday. However, strive to find a time other than weekdays after 5 PM or Saturday mornings to do your grocery shopping. Avoiding rush hour will allow you to shop more peacefully, thus taking your time and making smarter shopping decisions.

Looking for more shopping advice and tips on living healthy? Keep reading our iRazoo posts!